By Heart of Illinois ABC
BLOOMINGTON – The Bloomington City Council created a public arts commission Monday night, although there was disagreement among council members whether tax dollars should be spent on art.
The council voted 6-3 establishing the commission, with members Joni Painter, Donna Boelen, and Kimberly Bray voting no.
Painter said public money should not be spent on art especially during a pandemic when the economy is shrinking.
Painter noted there already is plenty of art in Bloomington.
“Stroll through our downtown, and look at the art studios we have. We’re home to the McLean County Arts Center, which is a jewel in our community,” Painter said.
Boelen said there should be a specific funding formula for art projects, with an emphasis on private donations.
“There needs to be community buy-in, pun intended, not just public funding,” Boelen said.
“Without community buy-in, it will not be successful. As a matter of fact, the community will be angry,” Boelen added.
Council member Bray suggested more time was needed to reach a council consensus on funding.
Member Jenn Carrillo voted with the majority.
“We can’t keep saying this is something we value, and it’s so important, and then not be willing to put any money behind it,” Carrillo said.
The commission will have seven members. Two will come from the Bloomington Cultural Commission, two more will come from the Citizen’s Beautification Committee.
The council Monday night unanimously established an annual Juneteenth celebration, but it won’t be a city holiday in which government workers would have to be paid extra to work that day, or have the day off.
Community-wide educational activities will be held either June 19, or on a weekend around that time to mark the end of slavery in America.
In other business, City Manager Tim Gleason announced he’s hired current city employees to fill two key positions.
Michael Hurt is Bloomington’s new chief diversity and inclusion officer. Most recently, Hurt was the city’s community relations manager. His annual salary is $95,000, according to Gleason.
The city manager named Craig McBeath as Bloomington’s Director of Information Technology. He has 27 years of IT experience, including 23 years with the city government. McBeath will make $115,000 a year.
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